SCORE Research Projects

Developing a reliable stock enhancement technology

SCORE projects are focused on quantifying the effects of stock-enhancement management strategies designed to enhance fishery yields in coastal systems of the USA. SCORE research addresses a "logical tree" of critical uncertainties about the effects and effectiveness of stocking hatchery-reared fishes and invertebrates into the sea to increase abundance and replenish depleted stocks. Experiments are applied systematically, evaluating hypotheses and sub-hypotheses about stocking effects that generally have been left unanswered, impeding progress in this field. Developing the full potential of stock enhancement requires collaborations, to involve the many disciplines of science that come into play with this fishery management strategy.

A variety of projects are needed to resolve key issues and bottlenecks in this field. The principal issues need to be addressed to understand and manage stock enhancement potential.